Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $3,000

High-end/Boutique

$999

$2500+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Experience the magic of a vintage guitar with the Gibson ES-150, a distinguished piece of Gibson's history that has beautifully withstood the test of time. A pioneer in the ES, or Electric Spanish series, the ES-150, first launched in 1936, holds a significant place in Gibson's legacy. Its production was halted during World War II, but it made a triumphant return in 1946, boasting a number of redesigned elements. The most notable of these was the replacement of the "Charlie Christian" pickup with a P-90, infusing this historic instrument with a fresh, dynamic sound. Immerse yourself in a soulful musical journey with the Gibson ES-150, a vintage treasure that resonates with the echoes of history.

Key Features:

  • Part of Gibson's historic ES, or Electric Spanish series
  • Originally launched in 1936, re-released in 1946 with updated features
  • Replaced "Charlie Christian" pickup with a P-90 for a more modern sound
  • Ideal for collectors and music enthusiasts who value vintage instruments

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-150
Finish Sunburst
Year 1946 - 1956
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Material Maple
Body Shape Non Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-150
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What is the tonal character of the Gibson ES-150?

The Gibson ES-150 is known for its warm, rich tone with a pronounced midrange, making it ideal for jazz and blues. Its single-coil pickup provides a classic, vintage sound that is both smooth and articulate.

Is the Gibson ES-150 suitable for modern music styles?

While the Gibson ES-150 excels in jazz and blues due to its warm tone, it can be used for other styles that benefit from its vintage sound. However, it may not provide the high-gain output required for heavier genres.

What type of pickup does the Gibson ES-150 have?

The Gibson ES-150 features a single-coil pickup, delivering a classic, clear sound with a focus on midrange frequencies, which is perfect for jazz and blues styles.

Does the Gibson ES-150 have a cutaway design?

No, the Gibson ES-150 features a non-cutaway design, which contributes to its traditional aesthetic and tonal warmth, though it may limit upper fret access.

What materials are used in the construction of the Gibson ES-150?

The Gibson ES-150 is constructed with a maple body, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard, combining to produce its warm, resonant tone and classic appearance.

PREMIER GUITARS

PREMIER GUITARS

Listen to this Original 1938 Gibson ES-150

Video thumbnail for Listen to this Original 1938 Gibson ES-150 by PREMIER GUITARS

Listen to this Original 1938 Gibson ES-150

PREMIER GUITARS

PREMIER GUITARS

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-150    1950       [LAST GUITAR] by lastguitarcom

Gibson ES-150 1950 [LAST GUITAR]

lastguitarcom

lastguitarcom

Video thumbnail for 1953 Gibson ES-150 available at thatrhythmman.com by That Rhythm Man Guitars

1953 Gibson ES-150 available at thatrhythmman.com

That Rhythm Man Guitars

That Rhythm Man Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES150 Sunburst 1951 played by Tom Punt | Demo by TFOA Demos

Gibson ES150 Sunburst 1951 played by Tom Punt | Demo

TFOA Demos

TFOA Demos

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-150.

Build quality

  • The ES-150 is noted for its larger 17" lower bout compared to the ES-125's 16.25", impacting resonance and overall sound projection.

    Source
  • Some ES-125 models have an amazing neck with low, fast action, rivaling expensive modern jazz guitars despite being originally intended as student-grade instruments.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • If confirmed as an ES-150, a price around $1200 is significantly below the typical market value, which can exceed $2500.

    Source
  • Despite its entry-level status, an exceptionally clean 1950 ES-125 was purchased for $3,700, showcasing its collectible appeal.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Tuning pegs often deteriorate on older models, but replacements or pre-aged sets can be sourced for approximately $60.

    Source
  • Fret wear is a common issue but not a major expense unless structural problems are present.

    Source
  • ES-125s, often lacking labels due to their low-end status, can have fast, low action that enhances playability.

    Source

User experience

  • The ES-150 is appreciated for its distinctive bite in sound, particularly useful for genres requiring pronounced tonal character.

    Source
  • One owner found their 1957 ES-125 with P-90s sounds superior to other guitars equipped with the same pickups.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The ES-150DC combines a full hollow body with a double cutaway design, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern elements not commonly found together.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The fully hollow construction of the ES-150DC enhances its suitability for playing chords and melodies with a rich, resonant sound.

    Source
  • ES-125s are often deemed affordable vintage guitars, particularly appealing to jazz students seeking a vintage feel.

    Source

Comparisons

  • ES-125 is compared to other models like the ES-350 for being a budget-friendly entry model, while the ES-350 commands higher prices due to its rarity.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Thom Yorke uses Gibson ES-150

Thom Yorke

Singer, Guitarist

Radiohead

...
Verified via Photo

This Gibson ES-150 was the guitar Thom Yorke used in Glastonbury festival in 2003. Photo shown is actually from Glastonbury.

See how Eric Johnson uses Gibson ES-150

Eric Johnson

Singer, Guitarist

The G3 Jam

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video by PureGuitarMagazine titled "Eric Johnson's Favorite Guitars - Bequeathed Gibson ES-150," it's revealed that Eric Johnson received the Gibson ES-150 after the original owner passed away.

See how Andy Summers uses Gibson ES-150

Andy Summers

Guitarist

The Police

...
Verified via Andysummers

In this photo posted under Summers' gear section, the Gibson ES-150 can be seen in his guitar arsenal.

See how Pat Metheny uses Gibson ES-150

Pat Metheny

Guitarist, Bassist

Pat Metheny Group

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

In this Vintage Guitar article Pat talks about buying his Gibson ES-150

When did you first play a Gibson Charlie Christian? In high school, there was a kid who had an ES-150. It’s a very particular sound and a great sound. We all love the sound of those Charlie Christian records. But there are some problems that come with it. It’s gonna buzz and hum, and the B string is too loud. A great guitar player here in New York is Miles Okazaki, and he turned me on to a box that Electro-Harmonix came out with called the Hum Debugger Hum Eliminator that completely defeats the hum issue without changing the sound. Works great.

I had a gig in Nashville, and like everybody, when you’re in Nashville, you go to Gruhn’s. They had a 150, and a particular one just kicked my ass. I took it into this little practice room and played it for about two hours, but ended up not getting it. Then they sold it, so I was kicking myself. But as it happened, the guy brought it back and I wound up with it.

See how Paul Banks uses Gibson ES-150

Paul Banks

Guitarist, DJ

Interpol

...
Verified via Photo

In the image above (taken from the 'Red Western Sky' music video), Paul can be seen playing a Gibson ES-150 in black.

See how Andy Bell uses Gibson ES-150

Andy Bell

Guitarist, Bassist

Oasis

...
Verified via YouTube

during this video, you can see andy bell playing this guitar. if you look on his personal youtube channel (here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe-iJE520BqYRNWUzx89iGg ) you will find many covers of his personal favourites, where hes also using this guitar.

See how James Ford uses Gibson ES-150

James Ford

Drummer, Keyboardist

The Last Shadow Puppets

...
Verified via Photo

Ford played a Gibson ES-150, per the linked photo, for the recording of his debut studio album.

See how Brad Gillis uses Gibson ES-150

Brad Gillis

Guitarist

Ozzy Osbourne

...
Verified via Vintage Guitar® magazine

"He was doing a CD and asked if I wanted to do some solos. So I played on quite a few cuts, and he ended up giving me a few guitars (laughs), like a ’47 Gibson ES-150 and a ’56 Les Paul Junior that was absolutely gorgeous. That got me goin’."

See how Eric Cannata uses Gibson ES-150

Eric Cannata

Guitarist

Young the Giant

...
Verified via Reverb

A 1952 model was sold on Reverb.com.

From YTG: This is the first vintage guitar I bought. I used it to record the Young the Giant song Firelight on our album Mind Over Matter. It plays beautifully, and sounds incredible. The original pickup sounds great. I got it professionally set up, so it has new tuners, but i’ll include the original tuners. It also comes with the original case, which is in excellent condition, and has pink interior!

See how Jeff Parker (Tortoise) uses Gibson ES-150

Jeff Parker (Tortoise)

Guitarist

Tortoise

...
Verified via Photo

Jeff Parker can be seen in this photo playing a Gibson ES-150.

See how Charlie Christian uses Gibson ES-150

Charlie Christian

Guitarist

The Benny Goodman Sextet

...
Verified via Photo

Charlie Christian, a pivotal figure in jazz guitar evolution, played the Gibson ES-150, a groundbreaking electric guitar introduced in 1936. This instrument, notable for its commercial success, featured a single-coil pickup famously associated with Christian, known as the "Charlie Christian Pickup." The Gibson ES-150's enhanced volume allowed it to stand out in jazz bands, transforming the guitar's role from rhythm accompaniment to a prominent solo instrument. A photo sourced from Ntxe-news captures Christian with his ES-150, underscoring its significance in his pioneering sound.

See how John Bohlinger uses Gibson ES-150

John Bohlinger

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video about his collection of Gibson guitars John can be shown talking about his Gibson ES-150

Album Usage

The Gibson ES-150 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-150, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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